Energy and climate context
The main greenhouse gas is CO₂, which is released mainly when coal, oil, or gas is burned.
What is the main greenhouse gas associated with electricity generation from fossil fuels?
The energy sector (electricity, transportation, industry) is one of the biggest polluters.
Which industrial sector is responsible for a large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions?
Sea levels are rising due to melting glaciers and the expansion of water.
What climate phenomenon is linked to the rise in average sea levels?
Renewable energies (solar, wind, hydroelectric) emit little or no CO2.
What type of energy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Data centers operate continuously and must be cooled, which consumes a huge amount of energy.
Why do data centers consume so much energy?
The more electricity we consume, the more CO₂ we produce, especially if that electricity comes from fossil fuels.
Why can high electricity consumption exacerbate climate change?
Deforestation reduces “carbon sinks,” meaning less CO₂ is absorbed by the planet.
Why does deforestation contribute to climate change?
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense (heat waves, floods, storms).
How does climate change influence the frequency of extreme weather events?
Consuming less energy = fewer emissions, without necessarily reducing comfort.
How can the energy efficiency of buildings and machines help slow global warming?
AI requires high computing power, and therefore high electricity consumption.
What energy challenge does the growth of artificial intelligence pose for the climate?
Climate is long-term; weather is short-term. A hot summer ≠ climate change.
What is the fundamental difference between climate change and weather?
Data centers use a lot of electricity, which indirectly increases CO₂ emissions.
How can computer data centers indirectly increase CO2 emissions?
Biodiversity is under threat, as some species are unable to adapt quickly enough to the new temperatures.
What impact does rising temperatures have on ecosystems and biodiversity?
Forests absorb CO2, so protecting them helps combat global warming.
Why is planting and protecting forests a solution to climate change?
Companies can use renewable energy and improve the efficiency of their servers.
How can large technology companies reduce the climate impact of their data centers?
Digital technologies consume a huge amount of energy, particularly to keep servers running 24 hours a day.
How does the growth of digital technologies influence global energy demand?
The main greenhouse gases are CO₂, methane, and nitrous oxide.
What are the main greenhouse gases produced by human activities?
Heat waves are increasing as the average global temperature rises.
Why are heat waves becoming more frequent with global warming?
Less meat, less air travel, more sustainable transport: small actions that make a big difference.
What changes in individual behavior can help reduce our carbon footprint?
Digital technology is not immaterial: it has a very real environmental cost.
What is the link between digital development and greenhouse gas emissions?
Renewable energy pollutes much less than fossil fuels, even if consumption remains high.
What role does the energy source (renewable vs. fossil fuel) play in the climate impact of an activity?
Transportation emits CO₂, especially when it runs on fossil fuels.
How does the use of motorized transportation contribute to climate change?
Melting glaciers add water to the oceans, causing sea levels to rise.
What is the link between melting glaciers and rising sea levels?
Clean technologies reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby limiting climate change.
How do clean technologies (e.g., solar energy) help combat climate change?
More efficient software consumes less energy, reducing its climate impact.
How can improving algorithms and software efficiency help limit energy impact?